Giant monsters stalk East Side, delight crowds, fail to end winter

Two Kurents are seen on the streets of St. Clair-Superior at a time when their mythical winter-banishing attributes were either more successful or less needed.NEOMG file

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Cleveland's third annual observance of Kurentovanje, the Slovenian version of Mardi Gras, featured 11 of the mythical monsters called Kurents, whose job is scaring away winter and welcoming spring.

They might have failed in that mission Saturday, but they helped attract hundreds of hardy celebrants to the winter fest in the St. Clair-Superior neighborhood.

The noon parade went off despite gusting snow and plunging temperatures, and festival-goers were still arriving afterward. Live bands and food trucks kept them warm and entertained.

Cleveland's version of the ancient Eastern European festival started in 2013 with only one Kurent. Nicole Kusold, one of the organizers, said she dreams of having 500 of the fuzzy monsters at an event she envisions as "the Slovenian St. Patrick's Day."

The festival continues until 6 p.m. on St. Clair Avenue between East 62nd Street and Addison Road, with indoor festivities at the Slovenian National Home, 6409 St. Clair Ave. Admission is free. An after-festival party starts at 6 p.m. at Sterle's Country House, 1401 East 55th St.